What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous disorder that affects movement. It develops over time. Sometimes Parkinson’s disease may start without being noticeable, and symptoms may a begin with a minor tremble in the hand that is barely evident. Although the tremor may be a well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, in-order to know the cause stiffness and slower movement, the doctor will need to evaluate you.

In early stages of Parkinson’s disease, you may show minor, or no expressions or your arms may not swing anymore when you walk. Your speech can also become slurred and soft. Over time, the symptoms will worsen as the condition progresses over time.

Even though there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, medication can dramatically improve your symptom. There may be occasional cases when your doctor may recommend surgery to regulate particular parts of your brain and improve your symptoms.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease symptoms and signs may change from person to person. Early signs may be mild and may not be noticed. Symptoms will often start on one side of the body and usually will remain worst on that side even after the symptoms begin to affect boy sides of the body.

Parkinson’s signs and symptoms are may include:

Tremors or shaking, can begin at the limb, and often start with hand or fingers. You may notice back and forth rubbing of your thumb and forefinger, known as a pill-rolling tremor. One of the characteristics of Parkinson diseases is tremor of the hand even when the body is at rest.Slowed Movement or bradykinesia) Over the course of time, Parkinson’s disease can decrease the ability to move and slow down your movement, making simple functions much more difficult and time-consuming to complete. Your steps may become very short when walking, it can be harder to get up out of chars, and you may also drag your fat as you walk because the length and breadth of movement become extremely restrictive.Rigid Muscles – Muscles become stiff and this may occur in any part of the body. The stiff muscles can limit your range of motion and may cause you pain when you do move.Reduced Posture and balance – Your Posture may slump, or you may have balance problems as the result of the disease.Inability to move automatically- Parkinson’s disease decrease the ability to move unconsiously, including natural movements, such as blinking, smiling or swinging.Speech changes – Your speech becomes another problem. You may speak softer, quickly, slurred or hesitate before talking. Your speech may lose infections and you only speak in a monotone voice. It becomes hard to control hand movement, and it is harder to write, and your writing becomes smaller.

You should see your doctor if you have any of the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. The doctor will rule out other causes for your symptoms.

Parkinson’s Disease Causes

In Parkinson’s disease, there are certain nerve cells or neurons located in the brain that slowly break down or begin to die off. Many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s are due to the loss or nerve cells, which produce chemical massagers within the brain called dopamine. When the brain’s dopamine levels decline, the brain activity becomes abnormal, which leads to signs of Parkinson’s diseases.

The actual reason of Parkinson’s disease is not known, however there several factors that are essential to the development of Parkinson’s disease.

Genetics and genes – Researcher, have identified specific genetic mutations that can lead to Parkinson’s disease. These are not common; they appear in rare cases where many other family members suffer from Parkinson’s disease. There is is particular gene variations that increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease but have a very small risk of Parkinsons disease for each of these genetic markers.

Environmental triggers may also lead to increase risk of Parkinsons’ disease. Exposure to toxins or environmental factors can cause the disease, in any case, the risk is relatively small.

Researchers have noted changes that occur I the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. However it is not clear why the changes occur.

There are two noticeable changes.The appearance of Lewy bodies. These are clusters of particular substances within the brain cells – serving as microscopic markers of Parkinson’s disease. These are called Lew bodies, Researchers think there is a close link between Lewy bodies and the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

Alpha-synuclein is found within Lewy bodies – There are many substances found in Lewy bodies, scientist thinks that one substance, in particular, a widespread natural protein called alpha-synuclein (A-synuclein) It is found in a small in Lewy bodies in a clumped form that cells can not break down. This is one of the most important findings that Parkinson disease researchers are working.

What Are the Risk Factors for Parkinson’s disease?

Age – Young adults rarely experience Parkinson’s disease. It is a disease that typically starts in the middle of late life, and the risk increases the age. People typically develop the disease around the age of 60 or older.Heredity – Having close relatives with Parkinson’s disease increase the chance that you will develop the disease. However, your risk is still small unless you have multiple relatives in the family with Parkinson’s disease.Gender – Men are likelier than women to develop Parkinson’s disease. Exposure to toxins or ongoing exposure to chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides may put people at higher risk to develop Parkinson’s disease.

What are some of the complications that are Common with Parkinson’s?

You have may difficulty thinking as cognitive problems (dementia) thinking difficulties, which normally occur in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease. Cognitive Problems are not very responsive to medication.Depression and emotional changes – People with Parkinson’s disease may experience depression. They can revive treatment for depression that can be male it a bit easier to deal with the challenges of having Parkinson’s diseases.

You may have emotional feelings of fear, anxiety or loss of motivation. Doctors may give you drugs to treat those symptoms

Swallowing – it possible to develop issues swallowing if your condition progresses. Salvia may increase in your mouth leading to drooling, due to less swallowing.

Sleep problems and sleeping disorders – People with Parkinosn’s disease often have sleeping issues, including waking up throughout the night, and waking up early or falling asleep during the day. People may increase rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, these may be acting out dreams, and medication may help with sell problems.

Bladder problems – Parkinson’s disease may cause bladder problems, include being able to control urine or having trouble urination. Constipation – Many people with Parkinson’s disease develop constipation, will experience a slower digestive tract.

You can also experience Blood pressure changes, feeling lightheaded, due to sudden drop in blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)

Smelling issues – You may also experience issues with your sense of smell. You may also have challenges identifying certain orders or the difference between them.Fatigue – Individuals with Parkinson’s disease lose energy how every the cause is not always known.Pain – People with Parkinson’s may have pain either throughout their bodies or experience in specific areas of the body.Lower Sexual Ability – Some individuals with Parkinsons will notice a decline in sexual desire or performance.

Parkinson’s Disease Test and Diagnosis

There is no specific test that exists today that can precisely diagnose Parkinson’s disease independently. A doctor that is trained in nervous systems conditions (neurologist) will diagnose Parkinson’s disease based on medical history as well as reviewing the signs and symptoms of the neurological examination.

Your doctor may order a blood test and rule out other conditions that may cause your symptom. An imaging test such as MRI, SPECT and pet scan, ultrasound and MRI. An imaging test is not cartulary helpful in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. You doctor may also give you carbidopa-levodopa, a Parkinson’s disease medication. You will need to be given sufficient does to see the benefit. It low does it will not be reliable. If you see significant improvement for this medication, it will likely confirm your diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

It can take the time to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; Your doctor may recommend regular follow-up appoints to evaluate, your condition, and signs over time, and diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

Prevention if Parkinson’s Disease

Becuase the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, proven ways to prevent this disease remain a mystery. Yet, some research has shown that caffeine — which is found in coffee, tea, and cola Green tea also may lessen the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Some research has pointed to regular aerobic exercise reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease.